(See update @ the bottom)Well, this did not take long. I’ve just speculated that Google & Sprint wanted testers before the commercial rollout of the Android-driven HTC EVO on June 4th – a few hours later I see that theory proven. I ran into trouble setting up Google Voice, and called the special number given to Google I/O attendees. Apparently it’s a “discovery period” customer support group, and the rep I talked to was very (unusually!) courteous and helpful – at least she tried to, within the limits of information available to her. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. Here’s the skinny:

I’m in the somewhat rare situation of being able to compare the HTC Incredible on Verizon and the EVO on Sprint, released a month apart, with essentially the same setup, same software releases. Here’s part of the Google Voice configuration screen on both:

And yes, the shocking discovery: it appears that Sprint limits using Google Voice to international calls only. Let me rephrase that: other parts (e.g. voicemail, transcription..etc) of the Google Voice service will still work, but if you can’t initiate calls using your GV number, than guess what, the other party will see your Sprint mobile number, that’s where they will call you back…etc – in other words the key concept of “One number to show”, which is what Google Voice integration is all about, is dead.

The Sprint rep told me she hoped it was a software glitch that would soon be updated, but frankly, the different wording suggests otherwise. I’m afraid it’s a business decision by Sprint, and one that should be made very, very public. Full Google Voice integration happens to be a key decision-making factor when switching to Android, for yours truly, forTechCrunch’s Mike Arringtonand likely many others. Not having it could prove to be a show stopper.

Update: The short answer, and it’s a good one, it’s not Sprint policy, just an installation glitch. Details:

All of a sudden I remembered that a few weeks ago when I set up Google Voice on the HTC Incredible with Verizon, it refused the accept my existing Google Voice number, so I tricked it: went ahead with the route of setting up a new number, but input y existing Google Voice number, then it worked.

I suppose something got fixed since then, as the Sprint EVO allowed me to link up with the existing GV account, albeit with the limitation shown above… so I started to wonder if I should try the same trick here. I deleted the Sprint cell number from Google Voice, signed out on the EVO and even deleted the entire Google Voice app (probably an unnecessarily step, but who knows…). Then I proceeded with the “new number” setup, but of course using the existing account information. Got into a couple of loops with error messages, nevertheless following all prompts both on the mobile and the GV web side finally resulted in the perfect Google Voice installation, with identical results to the Incredible version (the phone shown on the left). I’m a happy Google Voice user again.

On my release EVO, I moved my Google Voice number over from my HTC Mogul to the new number on the EVO. I had all four options from day 1. BTW, the international call wording is on the “Toggle Google Voice” shortcut for those who want to change their options on the fly. Nothing new there.

The other thing for folks to remember, which I certainly didn’t, is that you’ll only dial with the Google Voice number if you dial 1 and the area code first. Dialing a local number with just seven digits (as I did when testing), GV will not handle the call.

This is the exact feature I was looking for. I’m going to guy a android phone from sprint. I hope they still support google voice.
Instead of buying more peak minutes I’d rather use skype or google voice.

Does anyone know how the quality of google voice or skype works on these phones?
how about while driving?

Ok well sprint will not let you use it because then they will loose millions of dollars, everyone would cancel the call and text account and only have internet.

SO any ways if you root your EVO phone so take off the sprint android system and reinstall a fresh 2.2 android system it should work. And also you phone will run the full 1g prossecor instead of running half like it does with all the crap sprint loads on it.

Hi I don’t get any incoming calls with caller id. If I remove the Google app will it help? What 2.2 program should I get? And a last question which all us the Google Voice? I don’t like this phone ugh o_0

Just an FYI – for anyone using Google Voice as an outbound call for Sprint. Sprint treats that as calling a landline (which eats into your Anytime minutes) – because the way GV works, it actually calls GV, then GV acts as an intermediary and connects you to the number you’re trying to dial- so you are in fact calling a landline anytime you dial out using GV.

That could be a big fat huge phone bill if you’re not paying attention.

this will shock you. i have a htc evo running to boostmobile. i activated pay as you go, 10cents per min call & 10cents per text since am not a heavy minutes user. what surprises me when i use google voice forwarded all calls to my htc evo. My incoming calls are all FREE. so if i missed a call, i call back using a landline but if i get all the chance, i answer all my incoming calls.